September 2010 Articles

September 13, 2010 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon invites dog owners to visit the Wells Park “off leash” dog areas. “It’s perfect for those who live in a house, apartment or condo with little or no yard,” said Monica Zech, public information officer for El Cajon—and a proud dog owner.

September 13, 2010 (Ramona) – David Bruce Menea, 54, was struck and killed on Main Street Saturday night while illegally crossing the road, CHP reports. He was struck by a 4-Runner SUV, which went on to strike a parked Volkswagen, pushing the VW into Mike’s Liquor Store. Three other people were injured from the collision and flying glass.

ECM news partner Channel 10 News has dramatic video of the crash viewed from inside and outside the store, as well as an interview with eyewitness Terri Linnell. Linnell, who ran for Congress on a T.E.A. party platform during the June primary, tried to assist the fatally wounded bicyclist. “He died in my arms,” she told 10 news.

September 13, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police officers talked down a suicidal man off a trolley bridge over Baltimore Drive and I-8 yesterday afternoon. The man called police at 3:06 p.m. and told them he intended to jump off the bridge.

September 13, 2010 (San Diego) -- Since it is clear banks and brokers would rather lay people off then hire them, it is time the U.S. Government provide entry-level jobs in public service to stimulate the economy. This worked before, when the CCC and WPA provided millions of unemployed US citizens with jobs and training that helped the U.S. out of the Great Depression.

East County News Service
September 13, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is conducting an enforcement operation in the Mt. Helix area of La Mesa, East County Magazine has learned.

“We have served four search warrants and seized approximately 500 marijuana plants and two rifles,” Amy Roderick, public information officer with the DEA’s San Diego field division, informed ECM at 10:55 a.m.

September 13, 2010 (San Diego) -- Today I will venture out into the Realm of the Off Topic. What follows is not exactly movie-related but I feel compelled to talk about the last few weeks and how they have affected me. I’m sure some of you may feel the same way I do after reading this post.

September 13, 2010 (San Diego)--“I don’t want to play the character of Joaquin Phoenix anymore,” says Phoenix, the subject of this documentary. “I want to be whatever I am.” That is his explanation for why he chose to give up acting in favor of a rap music career. I’m Still Here, helmed by Phoenix’s brother-in-law Casey Affleck, is a film that you simply cannot prepare for. There are many images you will never unthink. These are not criticisms; as hard as it was to watch, I liked it. I didn’t necessarily enjoy it as I normally would. The documentary sets out and accomplishes what it wants to do and conveys what it wants to communicate. It doesn’t work as entertainment but then maybe that wasn’t the point.

September 13, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego’s City Council will consider an ordinance today that would crack down on 125 medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits.

The proposed ordinance is modeled after a measure approved by the San Diego Board of Supervisors in June for the County’s unincorporated areas. That ordinance limits dispensaries to industrial areas and requires that they be at least 1,000 feet away from schools, playgrounds, religious institutions and homes.

September 12, 2010 (San Diego)--A Woman, a Gun, and a Noodle Shop is not a bad movie per se but an unnecessary one. I could easily apply that label to a lot of bad movies but usually every movie, even the real stinkers, starts out conceptually with the best of intentions. This newest film by Yimou Zhang, a remake of the Coen Brothers’ film Blood Simple had no reason to be made.

September 12, 2010 (Lakeside) – Joseph Cantorna, 54, was arrested today in the 8800 block of Cherry Road in Lakeside for lewd acts involving a child. According to Sgt. Brent Strahm with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, a witness intervened and called Sheriff’s deputies after observing the man inappropriately touching a 9-year-old boy and attempting to expose himself.

September 12, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Live music, gourmet barbecue, an auction and dancing under the stars are among the attractions at “The Branding,” the Old West-themed fundraiser to benefit the East County Family YMCA. Over the past 17 years, the Branding has raised over $1.4 million to support youth programs and services.

September 12, 2010 (Sycuan) – Tina Santiago, a member of the Conshatta tribe from Louisiana, weaves a basket of willow reeds while onlookers browse her wares at the Sycuan Pow-Wow in El Cajon. “It takes about 25 hours to make this basket,” she said of a finely-crafted, finished basket priced at $250.

September 11, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon branch of the San Diego County Library will be hosting a program called "Winter Gardening" on Sunday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m.. Master Gardener Joyce Gemmell will give a presentation on what to plant and where to plant it so you can have fresh produce all winter long from your home garden. The program is free, and all are welcome.

September 12, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) - A 63-year-old man was found by a fisherman on Friday, September 10 floating face down about 200-300 yards offshore near Point Loma Nazarene University. The County Medical Examiner’s report states that the man was a resident of El Cajon, but also states that he was “unemployed and lived with a roommate in Santee.”

September 11, 2010 (Escondido) - In a scene reminiscent of classic Americana movies Grease and American Graffiti, 1957 Chevrolets and 1902 fire engines thundered up and down the streets of Escondido last night.

September 11, 2010 (Lakeside) 4:50 p.m.– California Highway Patrol has issued a SIGALERT for Willows Road at mile marker 2 in Lakeside, where traffic is backed up to the Willow Road intersection. The alert is due to a head-on collision reported around 4 p.m. At least one victim is trapped, CHP reports.

September 11, 2010 (San Diego) -– The City of Sa Diego’s Citizens’ Review on Police Practices is seeking new members. The Board is responsible for reviewing serious citizen complaints against San Diego police officers, officer-involved shootings, and in-custody deaths. The CRB also oversees the administration of discipline in cases where the officer has been found to have disobeyed proper policy and procedure. Additionally, the CRB makes policy and procedure recommendations to the Chief of Police.

Crop Report Hints Growers May be Moving From Greenhouses to Outdoor Nurseries

September 11, 2010 (San Diego) -- There’s a new king --- crop-wise --- in San Diego County, “Ornamental Trees and Shrubs,” according to the annual crop report put out by the San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.

September 11, 2010 (El Cajon ) -- The El Cajon Community Development Corporation has extended their Concerts On The Green series for 2010 through September 24th! Concerts are held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The last two concerts are September 17th with Scott Martin’s Latin Soul Band and on September 24th it’s Smoke Staxx.

September 11, 2010 (El Cajon ) - The 21st Invitational Art Exhibit at St. Clair Gallery, featuring over 165 pieces of fine art, runs through September 17. An artists’ reception will be held on September 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

September 11, 2010 (San Pasqual) – Highway 78 is closed in both directions on the east side of the San Diego Wild Animal Park and is expected to remain closed until at last 12:30 p.m. , according to the California Highway Patrol. Traffic is being diverted to Bandy Canyon and Haverford while emergency crews search for the driver of a vehicle involved in a serious accident who left a trail of blood leading into a nearby canyon, the Union-Tribune reports.